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Senegal inaugurates new 50,000-seat Olympic Stadium
Senegal’s new 50,000-seat Olympic Stadium
DAKAR, February 23, 2022 - February is definitely a month of celebration for Senegalese football. Two weeks after the men's national team won the African Cup of Nations, the women's teams have qualified for their second Women's Africa Cup of Nations after 10 years and Senegal has inaugurated a new stadium located in the new town of Diamniadio, 30 km from the capital Dakar. The inauguration ceremony of the sports complex was held yesterday (22 February) in front of illustrious guests, presidents of countries and authorities of African and world sports.
The Olympic Stadium of Senegal is a jewel of 50,000 seats, equipped with the latest amenities. Two annexed pitches and an athletics track that meets FIFA and World Athletics standards are key components of the architectural beauty. "It is an incredibly beautiful national stadium and I would like to congratulate all those who worked for its realization,” Gianni Infantino said at the inaugural ceremony. The FIFA president, who since his election has been encouraging the development of African football expressed his pride and honour to be in Dakar for the inauguration of the new stadium which is “a symbol for a young and modern country like Senegal, propelled towards the future”. He added: “As president of FIFA, I am proud to be here to inaugurate this stadium which is worthy of a world cup.”
The stadium dedicated to youth
The new Olympic stadium is named after the former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade. This is a way of paying tribute to a man of international stature who is a role model to young people. "We are linking the name of Wade to the youth of our country to ensure that intergenerational continuity lives on and is perpetuated. This beautiful infrastructure dedicated to youth is an invitation to continue on our path of development," Senegalese president Macky Sall stated.
This complex dedicated to Senegalese youth also has a socio-cultural vocation with its museum named after Pape Bouba Diop, a former Senegalese footballer who died a year ago. Among the pieces that will be part of the museum is Sadio Mané's African Ballon d’Or. "I personally would like to thank Sadio Mané who said he will offer his Ballon d’or to be exposed in the museum as his contribution to Senegalese football," president Sall said.
A gala match of legends
Like Mané, the legends of the African football also contributed to the inauguration by playing a gala match against former Senegalese football players. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Former Senegalese player Kalidou Fadiga was the first one who scored in the new stadium. On the African legends side, Nigerian Jay Jay Ococha scored the equalizing goal. The African team included great names of football such as Samuel Eto from Cameroon, Didier Drogba from Ivory Cost, Kalucha Bwalya from Zambia. All came to mark this historic date as CAF president underlined: "Today is a historic day in the football of Senegal and for the football in Africa. Few days ago, we were in Cameroon, and it was for us an honor to hang the trophy to Senegal. The Senegalese football has made us very proud. I want to thank the president for supporting football in Senegal," Caf president Motsepe said. This new stadium in Senegal as well as its inauguration which brought together the presidents of Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Rwanda, Liberia, Turkey, Germany, is a sign of an African revival according to Motsepe.
Spartak Moscow stadium, the inspiration
Invited to Russia 2018 World Cup to watch the match between team Senegal and team Poland, Senegalese president was impressed by the Spartak Moscow stadium that hosted this world football competition. From there was born the desire to provide his country with an infrastructure similar to the one seen in Russia. The Senegalese dream met the Turkish expertise that helped make it a reality. On February 20, 2020, the construction was launched. According to President Sall, the objective was to deliver the infrastructure in 24 months. However, Covid made the deadline uncertain. “Then it was necessary to work harder to finish even earlier than planned. Instead of 24 months, the work finally lasted only 17 months," a pleased Macky Sall said.
The Olympic Stadium of Senegal has cost 156 billion francs CFA funded by the government. This is an important investment for the development of football and the blossoming of youth. "This is football, this is emotion and this is life. We are happy of what team Senegal has done," Infantino said.
The Olympic Stadium of Senegal is a jewel of 50,000 seats, equipped with the latest amenities. Two annexed pitches and an athletics track that meets FIFA and World Athletics standards are key components of the architectural beauty. "It is an incredibly beautiful national stadium and I would like to congratulate all those who worked for its realization,” Gianni Infantino said at the inaugural ceremony. The FIFA president, who since his election has been encouraging the development of African football expressed his pride and honour to be in Dakar for the inauguration of the new stadium which is “a symbol for a young and modern country like Senegal, propelled towards the future”. He added: “As president of FIFA, I am proud to be here to inaugurate this stadium which is worthy of a world cup.”
The stadium dedicated to youth
The new Olympic stadium is named after the former Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade. This is a way of paying tribute to a man of international stature who is a role model to young people. "We are linking the name of Wade to the youth of our country to ensure that intergenerational continuity lives on and is perpetuated. This beautiful infrastructure dedicated to youth is an invitation to continue on our path of development," Senegalese president Macky Sall stated.
This complex dedicated to Senegalese youth also has a socio-cultural vocation with its museum named after Pape Bouba Diop, a former Senegalese footballer who died a year ago. Among the pieces that will be part of the museum is Sadio Mané's African Ballon d’Or. "I personally would like to thank Sadio Mané who said he will offer his Ballon d’or to be exposed in the museum as his contribution to Senegalese football," president Sall said.
A gala match of legends
Like Mané, the legends of the African football also contributed to the inauguration by playing a gala match against former Senegalese football players. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Former Senegalese player Kalidou Fadiga was the first one who scored in the new stadium. On the African legends side, Nigerian Jay Jay Ococha scored the equalizing goal. The African team included great names of football such as Samuel Eto from Cameroon, Didier Drogba from Ivory Cost, Kalucha Bwalya from Zambia. All came to mark this historic date as CAF president underlined: "Today is a historic day in the football of Senegal and for the football in Africa. Few days ago, we were in Cameroon, and it was for us an honor to hang the trophy to Senegal. The Senegalese football has made us very proud. I want to thank the president for supporting football in Senegal," Caf president Motsepe said. This new stadium in Senegal as well as its inauguration which brought together the presidents of Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Rwanda, Liberia, Turkey, Germany, is a sign of an African revival according to Motsepe.
Spartak Moscow stadium, the inspiration
Invited to Russia 2018 World Cup to watch the match between team Senegal and team Poland, Senegalese president was impressed by the Spartak Moscow stadium that hosted this world football competition. From there was born the desire to provide his country with an infrastructure similar to the one seen in Russia. The Senegalese dream met the Turkish expertise that helped make it a reality. On February 20, 2020, the construction was launched. According to President Sall, the objective was to deliver the infrastructure in 24 months. However, Covid made the deadline uncertain. “Then it was necessary to work harder to finish even earlier than planned. Instead of 24 months, the work finally lasted only 17 months," a pleased Macky Sall said.
The Olympic Stadium of Senegal has cost 156 billion francs CFA funded by the government. This is an important investment for the development of football and the blossoming of youth. "This is football, this is emotion and this is life. We are happy of what team Senegal has done," Infantino said.
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